Folding syringe case and container



y 1968 A. R. cox ETAL 3,384,231

FOLDING SYRINGE CASE AND CONTAINER Filed Sept. 15, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS A LVO N R CO X ATTYS.

WILLIAM E GRIMES y 1968 A. R. cox ETAL 3,384,231

FOLDING SYRINGE CASE AND CONTAINER Filed Sept. 13, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2(r-\ F'IG.3

FIG.6 7 7f IN N S ALVON RYEO Q z/ ,22 BYWILLIAM F. GRIMES Z0 ,9 MawUnited States Patent 3,384,231 FOLDING SYRINGE CASE AND CONTAINER AlvonR. Cox and William F. Grimes, Ashiand, Ohio,

assignors, by mesne assignments, to Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago,11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 579,143 7Claims. (Cl. 206-69) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A folding syringe caseand container assembly including a cover hingedly secured to the caseand which case is substantially vertically positioned when operative. Anopen center frame is pivotally positioned in a portion of the case andadapted to extend therefrom horizontally when the case is opened andframe and case are operative. A flexible container is secured to theframe and is suspended therefrom when the case and frame are operativelypositioned. The frame and container are adapted to be swung into thecase and the container to be collapsed therein for storage.

This invention relates to syringe cases and containers or bags providedtherefore, and particularly to a compact, improved syringe case andcontainer assembly of a portable nature.

Heretofore there have been various types of syringe cases, containers,supports or other equivalent apparatus provided primarily for use forfeminine hygiene purposes, but none of such prior constructions havebeen completely satisfactory. In use, normally these syringe cases and/or containers must be adapted to be secured to wall fixture or otherunit and receive fluid in a container portion thereof for dischargethrough associated tubing, nozzles, syringe pipes, or the like. Oneearly type of such a device is shown in Patent 2,213,929. More recentpatents showing similar constructions to that of the present inventioninclude US. Patents Nos. 2,612,161 and 2,672,869.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved folding syringe case and container assembly characterized bythe sturdy construction thereof and by the ease of use of the syringecase and container assembly and by the convenient storagecharacteristics of the novel and improved unit of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a syringe case andcontainer or bag assembly wherein all of the components of the assemblycan easily and conveniently be stored within the case portion of theassembly but with the case being adapted to be opened and be positionedvertically and to have other portions of the assembly operativelysupport a container or bag in the apparatus for receipt of fluidstherein for controlled discharge purpose. 1

A further object of the invention is to provided improved means forsupporting a container or bag in a syringe case assembly and with thecontainer or bag be ing readily collapsible or foldable for storageinside the carrier or receptacle case provided.

Gther objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improvedhanger member for use within an assembly of the invention foroperatively supporting the same; to provide a novel and improvedflexible bag for receipt of controlled amounts of fluid for convenientcontrolled discharge thereof; to provide a novel, unitary case memberhaving a flexible hinge formed as a portion thereof; to use a novel andimproved plastic support frame in association with the syringe case foroperatively engaging the syringe case and to have the container or bagmeans 3,384,231 Patented May 21, 1968 "ice permanently secured to suchframe for storage and/or operatively positioning the container or bag asdesired; to provide a novel unitary socket means in the case forreceiving syringe pipes or the like therein for storage purposes; and toprovide a novel and improved hanger member adapted to engage with aportion of the case when opened and to be in substantially fixed orrigid engagement therewith for operatively positioning the case andassociated means.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation the operative position of a syringe case andcontainer assembly embodying the principles of the invention withportions of the case and associated means being shown in verticalsection;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the assembly of FIG. 1 with thecomponents thereof stored in inoperative positions;

KG. 3 is a plan view of the plastic frame and case provided in theassembly shown in FIG. 1 with parts of the case broken away and shown insection;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged section of a portion of the hinge meansprovided in the case taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan of the container provided in the assembly ofFIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the container of FIG. 3.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention, as to one embodiment thereofcan be considered to relate to a folding syringe case and containerassembly that comprises a case including a cover connected to arelatively deep case based by a hinge means, which case is adapted to besupported in an operative position with the case base beingsubstantially vertical at such time, and open center frame of generallyrectangular shape pivotally positioned in a lower corner of the casebase and adapted to be supported on a wall of such case base andprotrude therefrom when the case is opened and the frame is operativelypositioned, which frame has a cross bar therein positioned substantiallyat an edge of the case when it is opened and the plastic frame has swungout to operative position, a flexible top end open container secured tothe plastic frame in the portion thereof and protrudes from the casebase and adapted to be operatively suspended from the plastic frame whenthe case and frame are operatively positioned, and discharge meanscarried by the operative bottom portion of the container, whichcontainer is adapted to be collapsed up against the frame, and the frameand container being adapted to be moved into the case base for stora e.

Reference now is particularly directed to the details of the structureshown in the drawings, and a folding syringe case and container assemblyis indicated as a whole by the numeral 1. Such assembly I particularlyincludes a case 2 that has, in this instance, relatively thin cover ortop section 3 provided thereon that may be connected, as by an integral,or unitary hinge section 4 to a case base 5 which in this instance is arelatively deep construction for receipt of other components of theassembly -1 therein when the assembly is in its stored or inoperativecondition. This case 2 preferably is made from any suitable flexiblematerial, such as polypropylene, and it can be molded as one unit.

The case 2 includes, as one novel portion of the present invention oneor more unitary clips or socket members 6, and 6a in this instance whichare shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings in which clips 6 and 6a are adaptedto receive or engage suitable nozzles or discharge pipes therein forstorage action in the assembly 1 when it is inoperative. By theresilient nature of the material forming the case 2, the socket means orclips 6 and 6a can readily be sprung apart for receipt of andtemporarily engaging members, such as the pipes or nozzles as shown.

As a pair of the operative assembly one of the invention, a flexible topend open container 7 is provided in the assembly 1 and such container '7is engaged with and supported by a frame indicated as a whole by thenumeral 8. As one feature of the present invention, this frame 8 can bemade from a suitable slightly flexible or resilient plastic material,such as polypropylene, and such plastic frame may be considered to be ofgenerally open centered rectangular shape. The frame 8 has a pair ofhinge means, or bosses 9 and 10 formed as a unit therewith and extendinglaterally from what is the inner most end of the frame 8 whenoperatively engaged with the case 2. The case 2 particularly is providedwith a pair of reenforced bosses or bracket means 11 and 12, as shown inFIG. 6, which bosses or brackets 11 and 12 are normally provided withopen end slots 13 extending thereinto from the base portion of the casebase whereby suitable means such as bushings or bearings (not shown) canbe positioned in the slots 13 if desired for receipt of the bosses 9 andto pivotally support the frame 8. It will be noted that the brackets 11and 12 are in a lower portion of the case and specifically in the lowercorner of this case base 5 when operatively positioned vertically, asshown in FIG. 1. The free end of the frame 8 can be swung out of thecase base and will normally be supported in operative position byengaging some part of the case wall forming the case base 5 for somelength of this frame to provide a reenforced support or positioningaction for the frame 8 when it protrudes from the case base 5. It willbe seen that the frame 8 also is formed with some member, such as across bar 15 that normally is formed as a unit therewith and which crossbar 15 is positioned to be adjacent or immediately overlie the edge ofthe case base when the plastic frame 8 is swung out to its operativeposition. Thus approximately one-third of the length of the frame 8would be received in and supported by the case base 5 and withtwo-thirds of the frame extending therefrom. Usually the container orbag 7 has upper end flaps 16 suitabl secured thereto or formed therewithand such flaps 16 are wrapped around suitable portions of the frame 8and usually are heat sealed or bonded back to each other or to mainportions of the container whereby the flexible container 7 will besuitably but tightly carried by at least opposed portions of the frame 8for operatively positioning the container by being suspended from theframe. One of such end flaps may engage the cross bar 15. Any suitableamounts of water or other desired material then can be introduced intothe container 7 and the apparatus will be ready for operation.

Preferably the container or bag 7 is made from a plurality of strips orpieces of suitable material, such as vinyl plastic, or the like whereinthe edge portions of the strips can be suitably bonded to each other byheat seal action, or other suitable means as desired. Usually the stripsare so formed and assembled that the container has recessed or indentedsides as indicated at 17 and 18 which sides then aid in the collapsingof the container 7 whereby it can be rolled or folded up on itself tomake .a compact inoperative position for the container when it ispositioned immediately adjacent the frame 8. The container 7 hence isshown made from a pair of opposed face sections 7a and 7b, and the sidesare each made from a pair of sections 70 and 7d, and 7e and 7f.

Preferably the operative lower end of the container 7 has any suitablefitting means, such as a member 19,

operatively secured thereto. Such fitting may be secured in place, forexample, by means of an enlarged base flange 20 formed thereon which issecured thereto the lower portion of the container 7 as by means ofwashers or sealing means 21 and 22 that can be made from any suitablematerial and can be heat sealed or bonded to adjacent portions of thecontainer, as desired for retaining the fitting in operative position atthe lower end of the container. Any suitable means, such as a flexibletube 23 can be provided for removable engagement with the fitting 19whereby the hose may have a nozzle or discharge pipe removably securedthereto in a conventional manner whereby the entire unit can beoperatively assembled for use at any desired time. However, when it isdesired to store the assembly of the invention, the hose 23 can readilybe pulled from the fitting 19 and the pipe 24 can be removed whereby theunit can be collapsed and the frame 8 can be swung into the case base 5and the components of the assembly be stored within the case 2, asindicated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Usually the bosses 9 and 10 on the frame 8 can be readily prung intoengagement with the bosses 11 and 12 or bushings therein on the casebase 5.

As another feature of the present invention, an improved hangerindicated as a whole by the number 25 is provided for use with theassembly 1. This hanger 25 has a finger portion 26 that is adapted toseat against an edge of the case base 5 when the case 2 is opened andoperatively positioned. The hanger 25 likewise has a foot section 27that is adapted to extend through an aperture 28 of any suitable sizeprovided in a base wall of the case base 5. Thus the hanger 25 will besubstantially rigidly engaged with the case base 5 and will extendoutwardly and upwardly therefrom in the hook portion 29 thereof wherebythe entire assembly can be supported on this hanger 25 for operative useof the assembly, when desired. If one does not desire to use the hanger25, the aperture 28 provided in the case base is such that the case baseand the remainder of the assembly 1 can be supported by any suitablehook or other member that can be engaged with the aperture 28 forsupport purposes. It should be noted that the hanger 25 is of such assize and it can be received within the case base 5 when the case isclosed and the apparatus is to be inoperatively positioned for storageor the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the novel and improved syringecase and container assembly has been provided by the invention. Anydesired type of container means can be used in this assembly butpreferably such container is an open ended upper end flexible bag whichis adapted to be collapsed and folded into a compact unit when desiredfor storage purposes. At the same time, relatively sturdy support meansare provided for the container 7 and such support means comprises aframe which will swing operatively into the case base 5 for storagepurposes. Thus it is thought that the object of the invention has beenachieved.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it willbe appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of theinvention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding syringe case and container assembly comprising a one-pieceflexible plastic case including a cover connecting to a relatively deepcase base by a unitary hinge section,

an open center plastic frame of generally rectangular shape pivotallypositioned in a lower corner of said case base and adapted to besupported on a wall of such case base and protrude therefrom when saidcase is opened and operatively positioned vertically, said frame havinga cross bar therein positioned substantially at an edge of said casewhen it is opened and said plastic frame is operatively positioned,

a flexible top end open container secured to said plastic frame at aportion thereof that protrudes from said case base and at said cross barand adapted to be operatively suspended therefrom when said ease andframe are operatively positioned, and

a fitting secured to the operative bottom portion of said container,said container being adapted to be folded up against said frame, andsaid frame and container being adapted to be swung into said case basefor storage.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 where said case base has hinge socketsformed therein, and said plastic frame has laterally outwardly extendinghinge bosses thereon that are sprung into engagement with such hingesockets.

3. A folding syring case and container assembly comprising a caseincluding a cover connected to a relatively deep case base by a hingemeans, said case being adapted to be supported in an operative positionwith said case base being substantially vertically positioned,

an open center frame pivotally positioned in a lower corner of said casebase and adapted to be supported by horizontally spaced sections of suchcase base and protrude therefrom horizontally when said case is openedand operatively positioned vertically,

a flexible top end open container secured to said frame in the portionthereof that protrudes from said case base and adapted to be operativelysuspended therefrom when said case and frame are operatively positioned,and

discharge means carried by the operative bottom portion of saidcontainer, said frame and container being adapted to be swung into saidcase base and said container to be collapsed therein for storage.

4. An assembly as in claim 3 wherein said frame is journalled in saidcase base by complementary means formed on adjacent portions of saidframe and said case base.

5. An assembly as in claim 3 where said container has a pair of opposedindented sides to facilitate folding the container for storage.

6. An assembly as in claim 3 where said case base has a bottom with anaperture therein remote from said plastic frame and adjacent a side wallof said case base, and

a hanger is provided for said case base, said hanger having meansthereon for removably engaging an edge of the wall of said case base andengag- 6 ing said aperture to provide two spaced support areas for thecase base, said hanger having a hook' section extending upwardly of saidcase base to suspend it operatively in substantially a verticalposition.

'7. A folding syringe ease and container assembly comprising a flexibleplastic case including a cover connecting to a relatively deep case baseby single means,

an open center plastic frame of generally rectangular shape pivotallypositioned in a lower corner of said base and adapted to be supported ona wall of such case base and protrude therefrom when said case is openedand operatively positioned vertically, said frame having a cross bartherein positioned substantially at an edge of said case when it isopened and said plastic frame is operatively positioned,

a flexible top end open container secured to said plastic frame at aportion thereof that protrudes from said ease base and at said cross barand adapted to be operatively suspended therefrom when said case andframe are operatively positioned,

a fitting secured to the operative bottom portion of said container,said container being adapted to be folded up against said frame, andsaid frame and container being adapted to be swung into said case basefor storage,

said case having a bottom with an aperture therein remote from saidplastic frame and adjacent a side wall of said case base, and

a hanger is provided for said case base, said hanger having a fingerthereon for engaging an edge of the wall of said case base and a footsection to engage said aperture, said hanger having a hook sectionextending upwardly of said case base to suspend it operatively insubstantially a vertical position, said hanger removably engaging saidcase base and being positionable therein for storage.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,213,929 9/ 1940 Hoffman 248-992,672,869 3/1954 Manville l28-227 2,880,864 4/195'9 Russo 312-209 X3,131,812 5/1964 Constant 20669 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,384,231 May 21 1968 Alvon R. Cox et a1.

Column 6, line 9, "single" should read hinge Signed and sealed this 16thday of December 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Flet WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

